Geoff Hacker recently wrapped up his cross-country road trip, during which he both gathered information for Forgotten Fiberglass, the book he’s working on with co-author Rick D’Louhy, and publicized the book and 1950s fiberglass cars in general. He made the trip in his Suburban, towing his Victress S1A, and happened to pick up an old belly tank along the way. According to Geoff, some racer decades ago began the belly tank’s conversion into a salt flat racer and collected the appropriate Model A and Model T suspension parts and a Ford V8-60, but never finished it.

I’ve been flagged down for pictures, stopped by the cops for questions only, terrified other motorists who think it’s a bomb, been asked for my autograph, and identified as the bravest man in the world (which I don’t agree with).

Along the way, he stopped in Kerrville, Texas, to visit with Bruce Gladwin, the son of Sterling Gladwin, the man who created the fiberglass-bodied 1952 Maverick Sportster. Gladwin built just seven Mavericks, long before Ford ever used the name.

Geoff also made sure to visit Robert Lugo, the owner of a Glasspar G2 that John Knebel originally built and owned.

(It) is one of the most beautiful examples of a Glasspar in the world today. John’s car was in the Petersen Motorama in the 1950’s, and recognized in magazines and print throughout the years. Robert drives his car and has a blast in it.

He has plenty more to share, however, so we’re looking forward to seeing this book in print.

2 Responses to “Forgotten Fiberglass: a Hacker’s travels”

i also remember this car my uncle joe lugo
had it when i was a child in the sixtys (1966)
he use to lend it to my dad
i still can remember him driving around the corner
in our neighbor hood looking kool……….
it was a fun car……